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Published: January 10th 2008
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Plaza Hotel - my suite
This is the lounge area of my suite Hi Folks,
I'm back in Ayacucho - feels a bit like a homecoming!! I managed to get up (successfully, although grumpily) at 2.30am this morning and check out of my hotel in Lima. My taxi driver (Arturo) from my first day arrived bang on time to take me to the airport. That means that the conversation I had with him in Spanish arranging the cab worked!!
Got to the airport at 3.30am (as required, 2 hours before my 5.30am flight) to discover that the check in hadn't yet been opened, so I got to watch the whole process - all v exciting. Eventually, at 4 am the check in was good to go. I could have had another half an hour in bed, but hey!!
Got checked in and found the gate. Was the only gringo on the flight (a forty seater twin propellor). My seat was right next to the wing and the wheels!! Was pretty amazing on the flight - I got to see the sun come up over the Andes as we climbed to 9,000ft!! How many people can say that!! Total flight time was one hour 20 mins.
There was a delightful, and
The Bathroom
It's the poshest one I've ever used in Peru!!! v old Peruvian couple on the flight, and some younger (late teens early twenties) Peruvian folks. The older man struggled with the steps on the flight and the younger folk all mucked in to give a hand with bags, and one young boy even lifted the old man out of the plane. There is an amazing sense of community in this country which I really like.
Ayacucho airport has not changed in the slightest!! Got my luggage, bagged a taxi and headed for my hotel. The hotel is probably the poshest in Ayacucho (the Plaza), but was the only one I could book online in advance of my trip. The cost is ridiculously cheap, but for it I get (wait for it) - a suite, breakfast and a view!! Not exactly what I'm used to in Ayacuchan standards!! Have attached photos for you - I even have a walk in wardrobe, TV and a laundry service!!
Once in my room, I hit the sack and slept until after 2pm!! I blame jetlag and altitude!! After an amazing hot and powerful shower, I hit the streets to explore!!
CCS girls - they have finished working on the street
Bedroom
V large bed - Vicki, it is longer than the one in Lima!! where the post office is. Now fully paved and all v impressive. I didn't go to any of the markets or the shops today - was just desperate to get out into the streets and savour the culture again. It is so good to be back here - hardly a gringo (white person) in site which is great. Also lots of opportunity to practice my Spanish.
Eventually hunger crept in and I took myself off to Gringo Plaza, where I enjoyed spaghetti pesto, washed down by Inca Kola and a matte de coca (coca tea). CCS girls - it was the cafe next to New York. No change to Gringo Plaza - just the same as always - have attached photo for my CCS friends. Did hear a couple of German and USA aceents, but had a book with me, so was able to avoid conversation. Wanted to enjoy my first day entirely on my own!! Also managed to order my meal and pay for it entirely in Spanish - progress!!!
Weather is cooler in Ayacucho in comparison to Lima, but we are 9,000 feet up in the Andes. Planning an early night tonight to save some energy
Final view of bedroom
It's so luxurious - even more so than the hotels we use for work!! for a longer day tomorrow. Have forgotten how the altitude hits you at first. You tend to forget that Ayacucho is up so high as it is in a plateau in the Andes. We also had some rain later in the day, so glad that I have my waterproof with me. Can now hear the beginnings of a thunderstorm outside, so will head off shortly to watch from my room!! Thundrstorms in the Andes are like nothing you will ever experience elsewhere!! Beautiful, powerful and loud - a real force of nature!!
Have been in touch with Gil, Marisol and Sue, and plan to catch up with them. Plan to go shopping tomorrow to buy some toys with the money mum gave me for the Sparrows. Gil and Chantal have just returned from Lima after more tests. Hoping that the news will be good. Can't wait to see them all. Have e-mailed Gil to check when suits best.
I found a new shop today - a Christian bookshop that is linked with Iglesia Presbyteriana de Ayacucho. Had a really interesting chat with the man (Spanglish again, but it worked) about Church at home. He asked if I was
Walk in Wardrobe
Can you believe this??!! a missionary, but successfully explained that I had a day job. They had some amazing childrens Bible story books written in Spanish and some DVDs. Might just make an investment.............!! He also suggested that I meet the pastor, who is interested in linking with Churches in other countries . wonder what our new Kirk Session at Govan and Linthouse would make of that idea!!
I have four days here before I head back to Lima for 2 days on my own and then meet up with the Vine Trust Group. Four days doesn't seem that long, but given that I lived and worked here for the best part of three months, I pretty much know what I want to do and see.
A huge part of me feels incredibly guilty that I'm living in such luxury in Peru this trip when I know that there are families not so far away living in shacks in shanty towns. I saw a number of them as the flight was coming in to land. Still, I suppose I'm doing something for the tourist trade and the local Ayacucho economy.
Anyway - have attached some photos of the view from my hotel room. You can actually see San Cristobal from there too which is nice. Off for a wander around the main square before I hit the sack. Planning a full day tomorrow, so will have more to tell you all then.
Storm is getting much worse and internet connection and electricity in the city all wavering a little. Not sure I'll finish getting photos on, but will include them tomorrow assuming no more thunderstorms!!
Adios amigos y buenos noches.
Lesley x
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John MacG
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All the best
Lesley, great to read about all the exciting things you are doing and its good to see that there are christian Bookshops in Peru. Take care and Godbless, john